The Seven-Step Homestead

This book is amazing and the perfect tool for beginners to create the garden and homestead of their dreams!

This is exactly the kind of book I've been looking for - as an extreme novice to gardens who has only just got the opportunity to grow things, I've been looking for a book that would help explain, encourage, and help me organise my very haphazard ideas into something feasible, and this really looks to fit the bill.

Some of the things that really appeal to me include the way that the author gives simple and clear how tos for what are basic things, but basic things that I don't know how to do! I actually feel like it is plausible to grow things myself now. Also the organisation of the book, the way that she gives a gentle buildup is a lot more appealing for me than many of the books I've seen which went for fill kn kitchen gardens from the off.

I will note that the book is obviously directed to readers from the US so I've made notes to check and adapt things like growing conditions and suitable crops for a different climate, but st least the things I've read from this book made me feel that I know what to look for.

I'm really looking forward to putting the things I've read in this book into action, and am very grateful for the confidence I have to do so.


*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC*

This book is amazing! So much information but broken down into understandable language, giving reasons for doing things a certain way, step by step guides and plenty of diagrams/tables/pictures. As a keen grower of my own food, this is a brilliant addition to my library to pick up when needed!

A brilliant concise and comprehensive guide to growing your own food and how to look after egg laying birds.

This book is full of pictures, diagrams and information. It's a manual that will last you through your full homestead journey.

The author is upfront and says it will take most around 10 years to get to the level they are at. However, the start from the beginning, with how to create small beds and begin your journey.

With the cost of living increase impacting everyone, this book is a valuable resource for those with a bit of outdoor space and enthusiasm.

A must read.

So helpful and enjoyable. I love learning things about how to self sustain and where to start. This was step by step instructions that were easy to follow and totally doable. I am not an absolute beginner, but I also don't have a ton of experience with homesteading. This made me feel like I can do it and not be a failure!

This is EXACTLY what any new or potential homesteader needs in their life. Filled with how-tos and impeccable advice from basic gardening to detailed planning. An added bonus is the book is designed around smaller spaces so not only is this beneficial to small land owners, BYT it can be adapted to larger properties as well.

What I really appreciated about this informative book was the no nonsense tone and respect. The author understands that some people may not know anything about gardening and instead of assuming they do, she takes the time to explain even the simplest tasks.

If you’re new to homesteading or in the process of researching, this book NEEDS to be in your arsenal of knowledge.

I love the approach she took with this book! There are a hundred different homesteading books out there, and this one really puts the “why” and “how” of tiny homesteading into words. As the very front page says, “it’s more than just growing food.” She focuses on the process/development of a microfarm and breaks it down into digestible, actionable steps. I LOVE that there is a whole section on perennials. Such an overlooked option for having food abundance every year with a lot less work. By the end of her seven steps, you will have a fully functioning sustainable food system including fruit trees and some chickens. Sustainability and ATTAINABILITY.

Thank you, NetGalley!

This is a comprehensive book for anyone wanting to homestead or even make just a few changes. It is completely step-by-step and won't leave you feeling overwhelmed.

4.5-5 Stars! So much information! If you’re looking to set up a backyard homestead, THIS is where you want to start. It can feel a tad overwhelming while reading but if you’re serious about starting a backyard micro farm/homestead, this has everything you need to know, and more! Plus the author breaks it down into stages, making it easier to get started and add on. Great guide with plenty of photos and every step is broken done to the smallest detail. This is a great reference book, even if you just want to start a garden or only want to have chickens. I’d definitely recommend this book. I’ve been wanting to start a homestead and have chickens but didn’t know anything about it so I didn’t know where to start. This book really has everything you need to know.
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

This book is absolutely brimming with information for anyone who is interested in starting out homesteading.
Filled with pictures to demonstrate what is being spoken about, it tell and shows you how to make your plan for your space so that you know what your end goal is that you want to achieve.
I really liked that it really took the time to show how to start small and not try to set yourself up to fail by taking on too much in the first year.
The author makes every effort to answer the main questions that you may have, offering advice on tools, maintenance, planting, composting and a multitude of other things.
This book is well laid out and well written. I would definitely recommend it.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book and would buy it for my shelf! Very informative and even included chicken/coop care! I felt like the target reader would be those who have already established a garden but want to take the next step!

This was a lifesaver for this spring ! Full of useful information that will help you design the vegetable garden of your dreams (or just not lose your bean seedlings, like me !). Highly recommend !

This was pretty much everything I needed and more!

I was looking for a really good book that had everything I needed to start living off the land when we buy a new house. We are looking for one with a great backyard for this purpose. I wanted to start reading and planning before we actually moved though so I've been reading quite a few how to books. This one is by far the best. It is chalk full of all the information you need and didn't know you needed!

As someone is a huge beginner on all of this, I found this book to be absolutely wonderful and really helpful! I have an ebook but definitely plan to buy a physical so I can tab and make notes in it to reference!

Thank you Netgalley and Storey Publishing for an ARC. All opinions are mine and mine alone. :)

The Seven-Step Homestead contains seven annual steps to making yourself and your family less dependent on expensive grocery stories by growing, and later raising, your own food. We are not talking about a full-blown farm with pigs and cows. However eventually, if you follow the plan, you will have fun, eat the ultimate in locally grown produce, and save some money.

Beginning with a simple one or two bed edible garden and expanding into an entire yard with chickens for eggs, The Seven-Step Homestead covers all your beginning homesteading needs. The details within this book are awesome. The author has done a lot of the hard planning work for you with gardening charts and step by step lists to begin your homesteading odyssey. What’s nice is that the book allows people who are already finished with some of the steps to jump in where they need to advance. It is clearly and concisely organized and can serve as both a workbook and a reference book for any level of gardener.

I also appreciate the honest advice from someone who seems like a knowledgeable friend like chickens don’t save you money and they are very demanding. However, who can pass up a chicken breed named Deathlayer (for its ability to never retire from egg laying until, well death, I guess).

Overall, The Seven-Step Homestead is a great resource for would be homesteaders and just simple gardeners who want to avoid all the hassle of garden planning. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.